A father and son from Brent have been found guilty of illegally converting a property into five flats.

Naran Khetani and his father Khimji Ramji Patel, of Mortimer Road, in Kensal Green, were convicted at Willesden Magistrates' Court on March 3 after carrying out works to a property they own in Neasden without planning permission.

They built a single-storey rear extension, rear dormer window and outbuilding in the rear garden to their buy-to-let property, in Prout Grove, without Brent Council's planning permission, and converted the property into flats. They then failed to comply with an enforcement notice issued by the council.

The pair were each fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £613 each towards the council’s costs.

The Neasdon property in Prout Grove

Councillor Margaret McLennan, head of regeneration and housing at Brent Council, said: “Mr Khetani and Mr Patel were not granted planning permission from the council, so decided to carry out construction work regardless. They failed to comply despite numerous warnings.

“As a result, they have built something that hasn’t met planning standards and is sub-standard. The court has recognised this and given them a heavy fine to reflect the offence.

“It is not right that tenants live in sub-standard accommodation due to the actions of rogue landlords like Mr Khetani and Mr Patel. It is not right for neighbours to have to tolerate this behaviour either."

The father and son must now comply with the enforcement notice or potentially face further action.